Contreras Torches Atlanta, Brewers Roll 9-4 in Series Rubber

William Contreras went 4-for-5 with a home run, 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored to lead Milwaukee past Atlanta 9-4 on Sunday. The story of the night was Bryce Elder getting absolutely shelled — 12 hits and 8 earned runs in 6 innings — handing the Brewers a comfortable win.

Milwaukee's offense didn't need much time to figure out Elder. The right-hander lasted the full six innings, but the damage was relentless — 12 hits, 8 earned runs, 2 walks. That's a line that loses ballgames in a hurry, and it did. Contreras was the engine, going 4-for-5 with a homer and driving in three. Sal Frelick added a 2-for-4 effort with 2 RBI, David Hamilton went 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Jackson Chourio chipped in a run and an RBI on 1-for-5. Milwaukee appears to have found a rhythm at the plate when it matters most.

On the mound, Robert Gasser was the steadier hand. He went 6.0 innings, allowing just 4 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 7 and walking 1. That's a quality start by any measure, and it looks like Gasser gave the Brewers exactly what they needed after the bullpen was presumably taxed earlier in the series. Chad Patrick handled the final 3 innings for Milwaukee, giving up 3 hits and 2 earned runs with 2 strikeouts — not pretty, but the game was already decided. Atlanta's Reynaldo Lopez was sharp in his 3 innings — 1 hit, 0 earned runs, 3 strikeouts — but the Braves burned through their bullpen bridge to Elder, who couldn't hold the fort.

Atlanta's offense had its moments but never enough. Mauricio Dubon went 3-for-4 and scored a run, showing he can hit, but the Braves couldn't string it together. Rowdy Tellez provided a jolt off the bench — 1-for-1 with a homer and 2 RBI — though that appears to have been too little, too late against a Milwaukee lineup that had already done its damage. The Brewers have now taken this one convincingly, and with manager Pat Murphy set to undergo hip surgery Thursday on an off day — reportedly without missing any games — this organization looks like it's grinding through adversity without blinking. Sunday belonged to Milwaukee, and it wasn't particularly close.